My position on illegal immigration has been the same forever. While I would acknowledge that by its very definition it's wrong, it would only rank in the lower half of my Top 10 in terms of priorities for America.

I don't think it's that big of a deal relative to handguns, fatherless families, warmongering, freedoms being usurped via the Patriot Act, universal health care, etc. etc.

Somewhere below that I'd place illegal immigation.

Besides, I've always empathized with those who come here from Mexico, and I've always wondered why the United States doesn't put more pressure on that country to get its act together. To get its economy going. To curb violence in border towns like Nuevo Laredo.

Personally, I have no problem whatsoever with a military action against Mexico if they can't get that Nuevo Laredo crime problem solved once and for all. That crap spills into Texas, and at that point, it's our business.

Besides, while I am sympathetic to the illegal immigrant on many fronts, the fact that they're here illegally period makes it American business. And one such illegal immigrant -- Elvira Arellano -- is back in her mother country after taking refuge in a Chicago church for a year and then deciding to become an activist for illegal immigration.

Frankly, I'm pretty baffled by her chutzpah, her thinking that she could stand up for her rights like an American citizen can when she isn't an American citizen. Truth be told, my sympathies lie with illegal immigrants whose circumstances are so dire they have no choice but to come here illegally.

Just to earn enough to so their parent can get life-preserving cancer medication.

To work for three days to buy enough food in Mexico to last a family a month.

Sorry, the problem in this equation has been and will continue to be Mexico -- their corrupt government and crappy economy. Nevertheless, this woman who played upon the sympathies of many for so long, separated from her son, holed up in a church, dares to step out into public to become an activist?

That truly is a freedom reserved for Americans. I find it a bit arrogant that a woman capable of going about the immigration process properly and who played on our collective sympathies took the riskier, ballsier step of trying to become an activist instead of trying to become a citizen.

I mean, isn't that what she truly wanted? To become a citizen in order to be close to her son? Then why would she dare place herself at risk of being deported like that?

Sorry, but I'm glad they got her. Frankly, for those illegal immigrants with whom I do hold some sympathy, Elvira Arellano has managed to worsen the environment. She's worsened their case in the court of public opinion.

She did more harm than good for her cause.